EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Proverbs 18:1
"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom."
"We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. The truths of His word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. Our hearts cease to be enlightened and aroused by their sanctifying influence, and we decline in spirituality. In our association as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should. The proper cultivation of the social elements in our nature brings us into sympathy with others and is a means of development and strength to us in the service of God. SC 101.2"
This is a duplicate of pair 2, and the reasoning is the same. Both passages address the negative consequences of isolating oneself. Proverbs 18:1 speaks of seeking wisdom in isolation, which can be interpreted negatively, while the EGW passage speaks of the loss of spiritual strength and sympathy when one isolates oneself.
Proverbs 18:4
"The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook."
"The same beautiful and expressive figures are carried throughout the Bible. Centuries before the advent of Christ, Moses pointed to Him as the rock of Israel's salvation ( Deuteronomy 32:15 ); the psalmist sang of Him as “my Redeemer,” “the rock of my strength,” “the rock that is higher than I,” “a rock of habitation,” “rock of my heart,” “rock of my refuge.” In David's song His grace is pictured also as the cool, “still waters,” amid green pastures, beside which the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock. Again, “Thou shalt make them,” he says, “drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life.” Psalm 19:14 ; 62:7 ; Psalm 61:2 ; 71:3 (margin); 73:26 (margin); 94:22 ; 23:2 ; 36:8, 9 . And the wise man declares, “The wellspring of wisdom [is] as a flowing brook.” Proverbs 18:4 . To Jeremiah, Christ is “the fountain of living waters;” to Zechariah, “a fountain opened ... for sin and for uncleanness.” Jeremiah 2:13 ; Zechariah 13:1 . PP 413.1"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 18:4 in this passage.
Proverbs 18:10
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
"So we may resist temptation, and force Satan to depart from us. Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:7, 8 . We cannot save ourselves from the tempter's power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 . Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name. DA 130.4"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 18:10 in this passage.
"Live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go. Know and believe the love that God has to us, and you are secure; that love is a fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10 . MB 119.2"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 18:10 in this passage.
"Our work now is to enlighten minds in regard to the truths of the Scriptures. Doors are open for the entrance of truth, and we are to avail ourselves of every opportunity to reach souls. We are to explain the truth, as did Christ, in many ways, by figures and parables; but we are to discourage anything of a fanatical nature. GW 316.4 The people must be taught to search the word of God for themselves. Pastors and teachers must point them to the strong fortress, into which the righteous may run and be safe. Those who are handling the great, grand, ennobling truths of the Word, must ever reveal a spirit deep, earnest, fervent, but calm and full of sound sense that the mouths of gainsayers may be stopped. GW 317.1"
EGW directly alludes to Proverbs 18:10 by using the phrase "strong fortress, into which the righteous may run and be safe," which is a clear reference to the "strong tower" in Proverbs.
"The most persistent attacks of the enemy of souls are made upon the truth we profess, and any deviation from the right reflects dishonor upon it. Our chief danger is in having the mind diverted from Christ. The name of Jesus has power to drive back the temptations of Satan and lift up for us a standard against him. So long as the soul rests with unshaken confidence in the virtue and power of the atonement, it will stand firm as a rock to principle, and all the powers of Satan and his angels cannot sway it from its integrity. The truth as it is in Jesus is a wall of fire around the soul that clings to Him. Temptations will pour in upon us, for by them we are to be tried during our probation upon earth. This is the proving of God, a revelation of our own hearts. There is no sin in having temptations; but sin comes in when temptation is yielded to. 4T 357.4"
Both passages highlight the protective power of God's name. Proverbs 18:10 uses the metaphor of a strong tower, while EGW speaks of the power of Jesus' name to drive back temptation.
"In this time of peril, Nero had not, like the faithful Paul, a powerful and compassionate God on whom to rely. Fearful of the suffering and possible torture he might be compelled to endure at the hands of the mob, the wretched tyrant thought to end his life by his own hand, but at the critical moment his courage failed. Completely unmanned, he fled ignominiously from the city and sought shelter at a countryseat a few miles distant, but to no avail. His hiding place was soon discovered, and as the pursuing horsemen drew near, he summoned a slave to his aid and inflicted on himself a mortal wound. Thus perished the tyrant Nero, at the early age of thirty-two. AA 497.1"
The EGW passage contrasts Nero's lack of reliance on God with Paul's faith. Nero's fear and ultimate demise are juxtaposed with the idea of a powerful and compassionate God. This directly relates to Proverbs 18:10, which declares the name of the Lord as a strong tower. The contrast highlights the importance of faith in God during adversity.
Proverbs 18:13
"He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."
"How often serious difficulties arise from a simple misunderstanding, even among those who are actuated by the worthiest motives; and without the exercise of courtesy and forbearance, what serious and even fatal results may follow. The ten tribes remembered how, in Achan's case, God had rebuked the lack of vigilance to discover the sins existing among them. Now they resolved to act promptly and earnestly; but in seeking to shun their first error, they had gone to the opposite extreme. Instead of making courteous inquiry to learn the facts in the case, they had met their brethren with censure and condemnation. Had the men of Gad and Reuben retorted in the same spirit, war would have been the result. While it is important on the one hand that laxness in dealing with sin be avoided, it is equally important on the other to shun harsh judgment and groundless suspicion. PP 519.4"
The EGW passage warns against answering a matter before hearing it, which is the core principle of Proverbs 18:13.
Proverbs 18:14
"The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?"
"Many times in those childhood days I was made to feel my misfortune keenly. My feelings were unusually sensitive and caused me great unhappiness. Often with wounded pride, mortified and wretched in spirit, I sought a lonely place and gloomily pondered over the trials I was doomed daily to bear. 1T 12.1"
The EGW passage describes a 'wretched in spirit,' and the Proverbs verse speaks of a 'wounded spirit.' Both passages connect emotional distress with a sense of being wounded or broken, making this a valid thematic parallel.
Proverbs 18:15
"The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge."
"Learning by Imparting Let the youth advance as fast and as far as they can in the acquisition of knowledge. Let their field of study be as broad as their powers can compass. And, as they learn, let them impart their knowledge. It is thus that their minds will acquire discipline and power. It is the use they make of knowledge that determines the value of their education. To spend a long time in study, with no effort to impart what is gained, often proves a hindrance rather than a help to real development. In both the home and the school it should be the student's effort to learn how to study and how to impart the knowledge gained. Whatever his calling, he is to be both a learner and a teacher as long as life shall last. Thus he may advance continually, making God his trust, clinging to Him who is infinite in wisdom, who can reveal the secrets hidden for ages, who can solve the most difficult problems for minds that believe in Him. MH 402"
Both passages highlight the importance of acquiring and using knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 speaks to the desire for knowledge, while the EGW passage emphasizes the importance of imparting knowledge to others for personal and spiritual growth. The EGW passage expands on the practical application of this principle.
"souls, the plainer it becomes to himself. The more we use our knowledge and exercise our powers, the more knowledge and power we shall have. COL 354.1"
Both passages connect the active pursuit and use of knowledge with its increase. Proverbs 18:15 highlights the seeking of knowledge, while the EGW passage emphasizes that the more we use our knowledge, the more we will gain.
Proverbs 18:21
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
"“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21 . Ed 235.5"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 18:21 in this passage.
I have been shown that the press is powerful for good or evil. This agency can reach and influence the public mind as no other means can. The press, controlled by men who are sanctified to God, can be a power indeed for good in bringing men to the knowledge of the truth. The pen is a power in the hands of men who feel the truth burning upon the altar of their hearts, and who have an intelligent zeal for God, balanced with sound judgment. The pen, dipped in the fountain of pure truth, can send the beams of light to dark corners of the earth, which will reflect its rays back, adding new power, and giving increased light to be scattered everywhere. LS 214.2 A Harvest of Precious Souls I have been shown that the publications already have been doing a work upon some minds in other countries, in breaking down the walls of prejudice and superstition. I was shown men and women studying with intense interest papers and a few pages of tracts upon present truth. They would read the evidences so w…
The EGW passage discusses the power of the press and the pen to influence people for good or evil, which aligns with the proverb about the power of the tongue to bring life or death. Both emphasize the significant impact of communication.
Closely connected with Christ's warning in regard to the sin against the Holy Spirit is a warning against idle and evil words. The words are an indication of that which is in the heart. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” But the words are more than an indication of character; they have power to react on the character. Men are influenced by their own words. Often under a momentary impulse, prompted by Satan, they give utterance to jealousy or evil surmising, expressing that which they do not really believe; but the expression reacts on the thoughts. They are deceived by their words, and come to believe that true which was spoken at Satan's instigation. Having once expressed an opinion or decision, they are often too proud to retract it, and try to prove themselves in the right, until they come to believe that they are. It is dangerous to utter a word of doubt, dangerous to question and criticize divine light. The habit of careless and irreverent criticism reacts upo…
The EGW passage discusses the power of words to influence character, echoing the Proverb's statement about the power of the tongue over life and death. The principle is directly related.
"We may have knowledge, but unless the habit is acquired of using the voice correctly, our work will be a failure. Unless we can clothe our ideas in appropriate language, of what avail is our education? Knowledge will be of little value to us unless we cultivate the talent of speech; but it is a wonderful power when combined with the ability to speak wise, helpful words, and to speak them in a way that will command attention. CT 217.1"
Both passages highlight the power of speech. Proverbs 18:21 speaks of the life-and-death power of the tongue, while EGW emphasizes the importance of correct and effective communication. The connection is thematic and strong.
When you married your wife, she loved you. She was extremely sensitive, yet with painstaking on your part, and fortitude on hers, her health need not have been what it is. But your stern coldness made you like an iceberg, freezing up the channel of love and affection. Your censure and faultfinding has been like desolating hail to a sensitive plant. It has chilled and nearly destroyed the life of the plant. Your love of the world is eating out the good traits of your character. Your wife is of a different turn and more generous. But when she has, even in small matters, exercised her generous instincts, you have felt a drawback in your feelings and have censured her. You indulge a close and grudging spirit. You make your wife feel that she is a tax, a burden, and that she has no right to exercise her generosity at your expense. All these things are of such a discouraging nature that she feels hopeless and helpless, and has not stamina to bear up against it, but bends to the force of the …
The EGW passage describes the destructive power of the husband's words and actions on his wife, paralleling the proverb about the power of the tongue to bring life or death. The censure and faultfinding are likened to 'desolating hail,' illustrating the destructive potential of words.
"You belong to a family who possess minds not well balanced, gloomy and depressed, affected by surroundings, and susceptible to influences. Unless you cultivate a cheerful, happy, grateful frame of mind, Satan will eventually lead you captive at his will. You can be a help, a strength to the church where you reside, if you will obey the instructions of the Lord and not move by feeling, but be controlled by principle. Never allow censure to escape your lips, for it is like desolating hail to those around you. Let cheerful, happy, loving words fall from your lips. 1T 704.1"
Both passages highlight the power of words. The EGW passage emphasizes the destructive nature of censure and the positive impact of cheerful words, aligning with the proverb's assertion that 'death and life are in the power of the tongue.'
Proverbs 18:22
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord."
"“A prudent wife is from the Lord.” “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.... She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her,” saying, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” He who gains such a wife “findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord.” Proverbs 19:14 ; 31:11, 12, 26-29 ; 18:22 . MH 359.4"
EGW directly quotes Proverbs 18:22.
Proverbs 18:24
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
"“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.” Proverbs 18:24 . Ed 136.3"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 18:24 in this passage.